Embers Ad Infinitum

As she looked at Commissioner Huang standing by the window, Jiang Baimian felt that he wasn’t saying those words to them, nor was there a need to do so either. She vaguely felt that Commissioner Huang was using this opportunity to communicate with Elder Zhang after learning that they had communicated with him.

Although Elder Zhang couldn’t hear these words, this was the effect Commissioner Huang wanted to achieve.

Such emotions were indescribably subtle.

After saying that, Commissioner Huang fell into a long silence.

He took out the box of wrinkled cigarettes from his pocket, took out one, and placed it in his mouth to the side. He then paused for a few seconds before stuffing it back as if he didn’t think it was a good idea to smoke in someone else’s room.

At this moment, Shang Jianyao asked with a serious expression, “When your batch of elderly dies, can the Salvation Army still complete its adjustments?”

Those who had seen the Old World’s prosperity and had a deep impression of it were definitely close to 80 years old; there weren’t many such old warriors even in the Salvation Army. Furthermore, according to the laws of nature, they definitely didn’t have many years left. Even someone like Commissioner Huang—who was still very healthy—could deteriorate quickly once he fell ill.

Commissioner Huang turned to look at Shang Jianyao and nodded. “Therefore, our main job in the past few years has been to establish a system that can adapt to the current situation without needing old folks like us to operate. At the same time, we have to nurture the heirs who still have some ideals left.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Baimian was confused. “According to what you previously said, shouldn’t you be more inclined toward a pragmatic successor?”

Commissioner Huang looked up and laughed. “That’s some selfishness on our part; we still hope that our ideals can be inherited. Besides, an organization without ideals has no future. No matter how effective the monitoring is, it’s useless when it comes to an organization where everyone chooses to be mediocre and degenerate. No matter how powerful technology becomes, these ideals have to be achieved by humans.”

“This can be left to us, smart bots.” Genava finally couldn’t help but interject. “We don’t degenerate or rot. We qualify as supervisors.”

Commissioner Huang glanced at the silver-black robot and shook his head with a smile. “Robots are also set and controlled by humans. Robots that aren’t controlled by humans are equivalent to real humans. Any human has selfish motives.”

“Any human has selfish motives…” The red glow in Genava’s eyes flickered as he muttered to himself.

Commissioner Huang continued, “Us old fellows still hope to see the day our ideals come true.”

As he spoke, he turned his head to look out the window of the unlit streets. “Haven’t you guys always felt that my price was very hidden and wondered what it was? I can tell you now that the price I paid is the eternal loss of a portion of my memories.”

That can be used as a price? This price seems pretty good. I can wrap up all the things I don’t want to recall and sacrifice it… This was the first time Long Yuehong was tempted by the price an Awakened had to pay.

It wasn’t a good thing to have a good memory. He often cringed when recalling past embarrassing matters.

For example: Sigh, I’m only 1.75 meters tall after genetic enhancement…

As if sensing his, Jiang Baimian, and the others’ thoughts, Commissioner Huang laughed self-deprecatingly. “Back when I discovered that I could use a portion of my memories as a price, I shared the same feelings as you are having now: ‘How nice. I can eliminate all those trash memories and not be easily targeted.’

“Unfortunately, forgetting something isn’t something I can decide. I forget many things every time I advance. Later, I gradually understood the true meaning of an Old World saying: People without a past have no future. People who forget the past will definitely lose the motivation to walk to the future.”

Commissioner Huang’s tone gradually became heavy. “If it weren’t for the fact that I still remember the Old World’s prosperity, the oath everyone made when we established the Salvation Army, and the anticipation for the future, I might’ve long been unable to keep up the fight and had chosen to end my own life.

“I’m already more than 80 years old, and there are fewer and fewer things I can do. Effectively extending the ideals that me and old comrades share is the only motivation for me to stay alive. People can be mediocre now, and the process can be pragmatic, but the goal can’t be changed.

“I hope that after we investigate the source of the Heartless disease and completely eliminate this latent danger, our Salvation Army can carry out our original dream step by step after our industry is completely rebuilt and our supplies reach a certain level.” Commissioner Huang’s voice rose. “A beautiful future life will definitely be realized!”

Shang Jianyao crossed his legs and pressed his right hand against his left chest. “For all of humanity!”

Commissioner Huang subconsciously pressed his right hand to his left chest. He straightened his back and replied with a serious expression, “For all of humanity!”

He then waved his hand and laughed self-deprecatingly. “I most likely won’t be able to see that day. Alright, you guys should rest early. You’ll be examined in the morning and be evacuated from the city to prevent any accidents.”

“Alright,” Shang Jianyao replied quickly.

After sending Commissioner Huang off, Jiang Baimian turned to look at Shang Jianyao and joked, “Why didn’t you retort Commissioner Huang’s words this time? You said that forgetting your ideals means betrayal?”

Shang Jianyao admitted his mistake and sighed without hiding anything. “I think he makes sense. He can’t ask for everyone—or most people—to be as pure as me.”

Are you pure? You have ten personalities! Long Yuehong couldn’t help but criticize inwardly.

Shang Jianyao glanced at Jiang Baimian again and said, “Even for me, I often have to compromise with reality. I can completely understand the Salvation Army’s compromise, temporarily stopping their expansion, and adjusting themselves.”

Whoa, what else do you want if you don’t compromise? Romping in the bedroom? Jiang Baimian snorted. She then smiled and said, “What Commissioner Huang said might only be part of the situation. From his description, I can’t find a reason for Elder Zhang and the others to object so strongly to the point of believing that the higher-ups are mind-controlled.

“Maybe…” Jiang Baimian paused before saying, “Maybe some of the higher-ups—or even some elders like Commissioner Huang—have indeed degenerated. They focus their efforts on how to lead a better life for themselves and how to ensure that their children and grandchildren can maintain their privileged statuses for extended periods. It’s still unknown if the Salvation Army can complete the adjustments and not evolve into a faction like First City.”

Shang Jianyao’s expression was solemn, and he didn’t respond.

Bai Chen agreed with her team leader. “Any human has selfish motives.”

Long Yuehong was just about to say something when Jiang Baimian suddenly exclaimed, “Commissioner Huang just said that the price he paid is a permanent loss of a portion of his memories? This sounds very similar to the Last Man domain…”

After careful thought, Jiang Baimian felt that it seemed normal for a Mind Corridor-level Awakened in charge of intelligence to be in the Last Man domain. It could even be said to be very compatible.

Long Yuehong came to a realization. “It’s no wonder I keep having the feeling that he can sense my thoughts!”

He replied in timely fashions.

Jiang Baimian nodded. “He’s sure that there’s nothing wrong with us because he secretly flipped through our memories and realized that we weren’t lying? Uh, we just lied a little about the details…”

Jiang Baimian didn’t feel angry about this matter and instead felt a little more at ease. She felt like she had completely been cleared of suspicion.

It would be more troublesome if they encountered people they couldn’t escape—having no means to confirm such power—or someone who had steeled their resolve to push the blame to the Old Task Force.

Jiang Baimian didn’t think much about how things would develop, whether the nuclear warhead could be found, or whether Ubei would be blown up. She had no way of analyzing either.

After the person in Room 214 died, the Old Task Force—who was in the hotel—could only passively wait for the Salvation Army’s investigation results.

In any case, they could be evacuated tomorrow morning.

Upon seeing that it was getting late, they left Genava on night duty while he charged. Long Yuehong and the others returned to their rooms and got into their beds.

After an unknown period of time, Jiang Baimian suddenly felt that something was amiss. It seemed like someone was watching her.

Jiang Baimian struggled to escape the dream and opened her eyes. She then saw a pair of eyes.

With a whoosh, Jiang Baimian sat up and punched out with her left fist.

Bang!

Shang Jianyao blocked the punch with both arms and was thrown off the bed.

Jiang Baimian then realized that Shang Jianyao had been quietly watching her in the darkness with the help of the weak starlight. She suppressed her voice and asked, “What are you thinking about instead of sleeping in the middle of the night?”

Shang Jianyao stood up, frowned, and stroked his chin. “I thought of a problem.”

“What problem?” Jiang Baimian’s expression gradually turned solemn.

Shang Jianyao looked up at the ceiling. “I’m wondering if the black figure that tried to ‘possess’ me came from the New World.”

He was referring to what had happened after he touched the brooch in Room 214.

“Didn’t we discuss it back then? It’s very likely.” Jiang Baimian couldn’t keep up with Shang Jianyao’s train of thought.

Shang Jianyao’s expression slowly turned cold. “In other words, that black figure is equivalent to someone in the New World. Could this person know Doctor—who’s also in the New World—and tell him about our situation here? We’ve already killed one of Doctor’s powerful subordinates. Do you think he will find this place through the assassin and return to reality to take action personally?”